Debt Management Firms Urged To Be More Transparent

Wed, 14 Apr 2010

Debt management companies should be more open about the amount of debt management plans they get accepted by lenders, according to one industry expert.

James Briggs, sales director of Blu Debt Management, the intermediary focused debt management firm, claims many debt management companies in the UK are not being transparent enough about creditor acceptance rates.

He explained: "Many firms are offering what appears to be high commission to advisers who introduce their clients with debt problems, but many of these same companies don't actually manage to get interest and charges stopped by lenders and credit card companies."

"If a debt management company is not pro-active in negotiating with and responding to creditors, the creditors may reject the proposed debt management plan and struggling borrowers can find themselves in a worse position financially.

"This can be damaging not only to the borrower but to the reputation of the adviser who referred the borrower to the debt management company in the first place."

According to Mr Briggs, Blu Debt Managements' current creditor acceptance rate is 92 per cent, compared to the industry average rate of 75 per cent.

The Government announced last week that ten per cent of Brits are struggling to manage their debts and that demand for debt advice is outstripping supply. Total UK consumer debt currently stands at £1,500 billion.

Mr Briggs concluded: "At a time when the Government is highlighting the need for an increase in good quality debt management advice, it is essential that debt management companies are open about these figures so that advisers can get the best possible debt management help for their clients."
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